Approximately 40 miles southwest of Missoula, Montana is a mountain pass known as the Lolo Pass. It is located on an elevation of 5,233 in the Bitterroot Range of the northern Rocky Mountains. This pass borders the states of Montana and Idaho.

This pass is a portion of the historic and famous Lolo trail; this very pass is the highest point of the trail. The Lolo Pass is so famous that it was used by the Nez Perce Indians during the 18th century as well as the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805. The said expedition was guided by Old Toby from Shoshone; this was a part of their journey west. In 1960s the US Highway 12 was completed, this highway crosses the pass. The Lolo Trail, including the pass was designated as a National Historic Landmark on October 9, 1962.